BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has issued a clarification regarding the unsettling food poisoning incident that left four Australia A cricketers unwell in Kanpur, where they are currently playing 50-over matches against India A. Twenty-seven-year-old Australia A fast bowler Henry Thornton, for instance, had to be hospitalized due to food poisoning.
“If there had been an issue with the food, all players, including the Indian players, would have fallen sick. It must have been something else,” Rajeev Shukla informed reporters. He emphasized, “They are being fed food from one of the finest hotels, Hotel Landmark; the food is good, and everyone is eating the same.”
Shukla further added, “Since a few players have fallen ill, idhar-udhar se koi infection aa gaya hoga (they may have contracted an infection), and we are handling it.”
Addressing the broader context, he noted the logistical challenges faced in Kanpur: “The issue arises because there aren’t many hotels. We need 300 rooms in a five-star hotel, and that’s not available. There is no international airport in the area that operates 24 hours a day. Had better arrangements been in place, they would have gained an advantage.”
Meanwhile, in the series, India secured a 2-1 victory over Australia A. In the thrilling third and final unofficial ODI at the iconic Green Park Stadium on Sunday, opener Prabhsimran Singh’s dazzling 68-ball 102, coupled with fluent half-centuries from skipper Shreyas Iyer and Riyan Parag, guided India A to a two-wicket win. Australia A, after opting to bat, managed a competitive 316 in 49.1 overs, largely thanks to captain Jack Edwards’ 89 off 75 balls and Liam Scott’s aggressive 73. India A seemed comfortably on track at 262 for three in the 35th over before a dramatic collapse saw them lose five wickets in 57 balls, though they ultimately clinched the victory. India A had previously won the opening fixture by 171 runs, while Australia A had leveled the series with a nine-wicket victory in the second match.